DOL Reopens Rulemaking Record on COVID Protections in Health Care

Monday, March 28, 2022 | 0

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Tuesday reopened the rulemaking record partially and scheduled an informal public hearing on a proposed final rule to protect health care workers from COVID-19 exposure.

The agency and hearing seek comments on specific topics that relate to the development of a final standard to protect health care and health care support service workers from workplace exposure to the COVID-19 virus, OSHA said.

The agency is reopening the rulemaking record to allow for new data and comments on topics that include aligning with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations for health care infection control procedures, additional flexibility for employers, removal of scope exemptions and tailoring controls to address interactions with people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

Other topics include employer support for staff vaccinations, COVID-19 reporting provisions and triggering requirements based on community transmission levels. The agency will also hear about the potential evolution of SARS-CoV-2 into a second novel strain and the health effects and risk of COVID-19 since the emergency temporary standard was issued.

Comments can be submitted online through April 22 and the hearing will begin online on April 27.

OSHA also announced earlier this month an enforcement memorandum for a short-term increase in highly focused inspections directed at hospitals and skilled nursing care facilities that treat or handle COVID-19 patients, an effort to prepare for potential new variants. Inspections will occur during a three-month period through June 9, OSHA said.

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